So, I delved into the world of ukulele recently, and on a whim decided to see how things would sound to do some back-up chords on it instead of guitar in an Irish trad setting (actually, I think the song is Scottish...). I fooled around combining it with mandolin and tenor banjo, but wasn't getting good results. I finally pulled out my whistle that I haven't touched in a while, and it seems to work. What do you think? It's the first song here:
www.myspace.com/caseythomastonPlease try to ignore the squeeking of the whistle. I'm a bit rusty.
I'd like some honest opinions, good or bad, on how they sound together.
Also... I'd like to stress this was just an experiment. I'm certainly not planning to bring the uke to the next session!

I think the idea is exceedingly cool! Epecially using a baritone ukulele. I couldn't listen the sound file (my speakers are kaput), but I've been kicking the same idea around for a long time.

I've been trying to use a concert uke where the lowest string is the third one, but that sound is just too Hawian to make the jump. A baritone uke is tuned like the top four strings on a guitar so it has a real bass string, so I think that would work better. I'll have to get me one of those. I can't see why it wouldn't work. After all, the baritone uke is really just a tenor guitar with classic nylon strings, right?

Some people tune a tenor guitar like a bari uke (like the top 4 strings of guitar), but the traditional tuning for a TG is in 5ths- CGDA. Some people also tune tenors lower like an octave mandolin- GDAE.

The concert uke with my-dog-has-fleas tuning is a pretty versatile instrument, and is used in a lot of contexts where it doesn't sound Hawaiian. For instance, they used uke a lot in old-time string bands- even in some jug and kazoo bands! Hitting on the right strumming style is probably the key.

James Hill is a young ukulele player who has done some AMAZING hybrid stuff with the instrument. The ukulele is a surprisingly versatile instrument! I only just found his website today, and he really is awesome. I wonder if he's played any ITM on that thing...hmmm....

For me it has been just the opposite. I've got a number of ukes and a classical guitar which I play at slack key on but now I've just purchased a whistle. Funny how things work out. I'm looking forward to learning how to blow on something other than a harp.

This place looks like the place to learn.

Mahalo,
Sandy

_________________Leap into the boundless and make it your home.
Zhuang-zi

ah my theme tune
the words are better than the tune and the title.
translation below - it’s worth it

The Muckin' o' Geordie's Byre

At a relic aul' croft upon the hill,
Roon the neuk frae Sprottie's mill,
Tryin' a' his life tae jine the kill
Lived Geordie MacIntyre.
He had a wife a swir's himsel'
An' a daughter as black's auld Nick himsel',
There wis some fun-haud awa' the smell
At the muckin' o' Geordie's byre.

Chorus:
For the graim was tint, the besom was deen,
The barra widna row its leen,
An' siccan a soss it never was seen
At the muckin' o Geordie's byre.
For the daughter had to strae and neep
The auld wife started to swipe the greep
When Geordie fell sklite on a rotten neep
At the muckin' o' Geordie's byre.

Ben the greep cam' Geordie's soo
She stood up ahint the coo
The coo kickit oot an' o whit a stew
At the muckin' o' Geordies byre.
For the aul' wife she was booin' doon
The soo was kickit on the croon
It shoved her heid in the wifie's goon
Then ben through Geordie's byre.

Chorus:

The daughter cam thro the barn door
An' seein' her mother let ooot a roar,
To the midden she ran an' fel ower the boar
At the muckin' o' Geordie's byre.
For the boar he lap the midden dyke
An' ower the riggs wi' Geordie's tyke.
They baith ran intill a bumbee's byke
At the muckin' o' Geordie's byre.

Chorus:

O a hunder' years are passed an' mair
Whaur Sprottie's wis, the hill is bare;
The croft's awa' sae ye'll see nae mair
At the muckin' o' Geordie's byre.
His folks a' deid an' awa' lang syne-
In case his memory we should tyne,
Whistle this tune tae keep ye in min'
At the muckin' o' Geordie's byre!

How have you come along? If you have not moved on... or found this site, give it a look. I have a beautiful Kala Arch Tenor to mess around with... I'd post her but been using facebook so long I'll have to remember where I go to use server to post here.. lol.... but here's uke tabs.

Wow, flashbacks...I remember enjoying that little experiment, but I don't currently own a uke anymore. Still enjoying playing accompaniment, but it's on bouzouki these days.I wonder if I could find a luthier to make me a hybrid instrument... Zoukelele?

ha! You're so fun! But would you entertain the practice of Classical and Flamenco, Greek modern or prhaps back to Traditional Irish music? My goodness.... we have found the correct spot here as this musical hybridization leans!... lolol...